إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَهْدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا 9
Translations
Indeed, this Qur’ān guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward
Transliteration
Inna hadha al-Qur'ana yahdee li-allati hiya aqwamu wa yubashshiru al-mu'minina alladhina ya'maluna al-salihat anna lahum ajran kabira
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah affirms that the Qur'an guides humanity toward the most upright and righteous way (al-thawhid, sound reasoning, and moral rectitude), and brings glad tidings to the believers who perform righteous deeds of a great reward. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, 'al-tati hiya aqwamu' refers to the straight path in all aspects of belief and practice, while the second part emphasizes that guidance alone is insufficient without corresponding righteous actions—both are essential for spiritual success.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Isra, a Meccan chapter that addresses the comprehensive nature of the Qur'an's mission during the early period of Islam when the faith faced significant opposition. It serves as a declaration of the Qur'an's dual purpose: to provide guidance for humanity's intellectual and spiritual journey, and to encourage believers through the promise of divine reward.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best among you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027). Additionally, Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported that the Prophet said: 'The example of one who recites the Qur'an is like a citron which has a good taste and good scent' (Sahih Bukhari 5427).
Themes
Key Lesson
True benefit from the Qur'an requires both intellectual acceptance of its guidance and practical application through righteous deeds; the Qur'an is not merely a text to be recited, but a comprehensive guide for transforming one's character and conduct in accordance with divine will.
Related Ayahs
ذَٰلِكَ مِمَّآ أَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ رَبُّكَ مِنَ ٱلْحِكْمَةِ ۗ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتُلْقَىٰ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَلُومًا مَّدْحُورًا
That is from what your Lord has revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], of wisdom. And, [O mankind], do not make [as equal] with Allāh another deity, lest you be thrown into Hell, blamed and banished.
قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ كَشْفَ ٱلضُّرِّ عَنكُمْ وَلَا تَحْوِيلًا
Say, "Invoke those you have claimed [as gods] besides Him, for they do not possess the [ability for] removal of adversity from you or [for its] transfer [to someone else]."
وَقَالُوا۟ لَن نُّؤْمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ تَفْجُرَ لَنَا مِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ يَنۢبُوعًا
And they say, "We will not believe you until you break open for us from the ground a spring
أَوْ خَلْقًا مِّمَّا يَكْبُرُ فِى صُدُورِكُمْ ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ مَن يُعِيدُنَا ۖ قُلِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ ۚ فَسَيُنْغِضُونَ إِلَيْكَ رُءُوسَهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هُوَ ۖ قُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَرِيبًا
Or [any] creation of that which is great within your breasts." And they will say, "Who will restore us?" Say, "He who brought you forth the first time." Then they will nod their heads toward you and say, "When is that?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon -